St Stephens
All I can say is what a day. I’m ruined. I think its safe to say that it has been the hardest/toughest ride of my life. 63 miles of hills, hills and hills. Completely draining, rewarding in some stupid way, I’m sure in 6 months time I’ll think it was great. But not right now. The ride from Okehampton started hilly, but nothing too bad at first fun around Dartmoor, i went through Lydford gorge, stunning countryside and oh yeah steep hills. Some how I managed to overshoot some place i can’t recall and wound up in Tavistock. 10 miles down the road. At this point I was feeling pretty fresh, but by the time I got to Cullumpton, I was really feeling the burn. I did however have lots of opportunity to mull over my journey, in between cursing who ever thought it would be fun to make Devon and Cornwall so hilly. Anyway, its nearly over, I have some how hauled myself and a heavily loaded bike (soon to be) 1000 miles. It’s pretty mental, a month ago I had serious doubts about being able to complete something of this nature, and those of you that know me well would probably agree. I can appreciate any scepticism from people, but hey look at me now. Cycling Tim. I finally got to Gunnislake and CORNWALL, KERNOW, and so forth! A very happy moment, I’ve travelled the country and I’m nearly home. Having said that I moved round the corner, post celebratory cigarette looked up oh and there’s a massive bloody hill. You can guess the rest, I got up to the top of the hill feeling rather shaky and feeble, made a B-line for the first petrol station, ate a whole Jamaican Ginger cake, 2 oat bar things and then moved on, this was the start of a low. More hills, a feeling of being ill, drained and a bit shifty. I plodded on to Liskeard and slowed as I crawled to St Austell, I stooped to busting out the energy drink for emergencies. Which may well of been my saving grace, helping me through to St Stephens and freedom (nearly). One more day and its over. Today’s total Total 982.8 Day 61 Avg 9.4 Cal 2232.7
